H.—6.

6

once each year should a complete examination be made. The particulars of each examination should be entered as they occur, and twice a year abstracts in some clear and condensed form should be forwarded to the Chief Office. Twice a year the Engineer Surveyor should visit the field, and carefully examine the records of examinations in detail, and satisfy himself that the duties have been properly conducted, and make what personal inspection is necessary. The Sub-Inspector should supervise, on the part of the Government, all important repairs to boilers and the manufacture of new work, and apply the proper tests. Permanent certificates should be issued from the Chief Office, and be countersigned by the Sub-Inspector on each occasion of a satisfactory examination. Certificates should be withdrawn, should occasion arise, by order from the Chief Office. Boiler attendants should be examined by the Sub-Inspector in a practical manner, and receive certificates from him according to their qualifications, only those having such to be eligible for employment in tending boilers. Such is an outline of a scheme calculated to effect, we believe, great good on the field. Although not likely to be self-supporting, yet the fees payable annually in proportion to the power would go considerably in that direction; and as soon as the success of the measure is established, its provisions can be applied to steam power generally, and not confined to the gold field, when, we doubt not, the charge on the State would be very small. In conclusion, we have to express our thanks for the great readiness with which our inquiries were seconded by all on the gold field with whom we were brought in contact. Certified under our hands at Auckland, this 24th day of April, 1874. Charles O'Neill, Chairman. James Stewart. Joseph Nancarrow. Return showing the Number of Steam Engines in use on the Thames Gold Field for Mining Purposes, and the Power. H.P. H.P. 1. Flora Macdonald .. ..14 • Brought forward .. .. 914 2. Brown and Campbell .. .. 40 25. Weston's .. .. .. 21 3. Clarkson's .. .. .. 12 26. Criterion .. .. ..25 4. Kurunui .. .. .. 30 27. Hand in Band .. .. .. 8 5. Shotover .. .. .. 18 28. Waiotahi .. .. ..20 6. Herald .. .. .. 22 29. Souter's .. .. ..15 7. Caledonian .. .. .. 113 30. Golden Crown .. .. ..70 8. Prince Alfred .. .. .. 14 31. Eglinton .. .. .. 6 9. United Pumping.. .. .. 303 32. Spencer and Hall .. .. 6 10. Pyrites Reduction .. 20 33. Prince Imperial.. .. ..10 11. Imperial Crown .. .. ..50 34. Little and Good.. .. .. 6 12. Manukau .. .. .. 32 35. Bright Smile .. .. .. 45 13. Tramway .. .. .. 10 36. Bull's.. .. .. ..10 14. Golden Calf .. .. .. 12 37. Una .. .. .. ..16 15. Central Italy .. .. ..20 38. Perry's .. .. ..12 16. Nonpareil .. .. .. 15 39. Lucky Hit .. .. .. 20 17. Waitemata .. .. .. 14 40. Raithby and Muir .. .. 6 18. Morning Star .. .. .. 20 41. Greenway's .. .. .. 8 19. Middle Star .. .. ..12 42. Albion .. .. ..40 20. Moanataiari .. .. 75 43. Waiomo .. .. .. 8 21. Whau.. .. .. ..15 44. Vickery's .. .. ..10 22. Alburnia .. .. .. 21 45. Grove's .. .. .. 7 23. Pioneer .. .. . . 8 24. Ballarat and Clunes .. .. 24 Total .. 1,283 Return showing the Number of Steam Engines in use on the Coromandel Gold Field for Mining Purposes, and the Power. H.P. I H.P. 1. New Zealand Quartz Crushing Co. .. 24 6. Kapanga Gold Mining C 0... .. 120 2. Ditto ditto .. 24 !7. Ditto ditto .. .. 12 3. Golconda Gold Mining C 0... .. 14 8. Union Beach .. .. 12 4. Tokatca Gold Mining Co. .. .. 12 5. Reduction Works .. .. 2 I Total 220 Totals. no. h.p. Thames Gold Field .. .. .. 45 1,283 Coromandel Gold Field .. .. .. 8 220 Grand totals .. .. .. 54 1,503 . By Authority : Gbobgb Didsbbby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB74. Price 6d.]